Daycare dropoff is an adjustment for both parents and children. Oftentimes, the parents are more anxious about dropoff than the children, but once children know that daycare means separation from the parent, there may be
meltdowns that tug at heartstrings.
If your child has a hard time at dropoff, you might be wondering how long it will take your toddler or child to like daycare.
The good news is children quickly adapt to changes in their routine and learn to love daycare, even if they don’t like it at first.
Infant
Children under 12 months take a very short time to adapt to daycare. They are still learning about the people and places around them, so they are malleable to caretakers.
It’s often harder for parents than babies at this age to be separated! But, once you see your baby enjoying daycare, it gets easier to leave your baby with their caregiver.
Toddler
Children between one and three years of age know more about their environment and daily routine. Dropoff at this age can be confusing for children and sobering for parents.
There is a great deal of variability in how long it takes a toddler to like daycare and not have meltdowns at dropoff.
- 1 year old: It can take up to two weeks of daily dropoffs for a child to not cry when leaving a parent. If your child is on a part-time schedule, it may take longer.
- 2 years old: A child this age will take two to three weeks to adjust to drop off.
- 3 years old: Children switching daycares may only take a day or two to adjust, but a child who has never been in daycare before may take up to a month to feel comfortable at drop-off.
Pre-K
Perhaps surprisingly, four-year-olds may take the longest to fully adjust to a daycare environment. This is true whether they are switching daycares or starting daycare for the first time. 
Four-year-olds may have the hardest time with a new daycare routine because they’re old enough to have big feelings about their change of environment. This is understandable even for adults–it is normal to feel anxious for a few weeks or months when starting a new job or class.
Similarly, four-year-olds can take three to six months to feel at home in their new daycare setting. It takes time to learn new routines, make new friends, and discover their favorite things in their classroom.
How to Help a Child Adjust to Daycare
Coping skills will vary depending on the age of the child. Here are some tips for helping children overcome anxiety at dropoff:
- Leave a favorite lovey or blanket with your child. For babies, it’s helpful if the blanket has the parent’s scent or if they otherwise associate the blanket with the parent (e.g. rocking with the blanket before bedtime). Older children can keep a lovey or toy from home in their cubby to use at naptime.
- Parents should be compassionate at dropoff but not waffle when it is time to leave. Give reassuring affection or come up with a fun dropoff handshake, but then leave promptly. This helps your child know they can’t pull you back by throwing a tantrum.
- Consider rewarding older children if they don’t throw a tantrum at dropoff
Dropoff at Penguin Crossing Academy
At Penguin Crossing Academy, we know that dropoff can be hard. We have compassionate and supportive staff to help children and parents alike transition to their daycare routine. Our teachers know how to quickly engage children in their classroom activities, find new friends, and become acclimated to their new routine as quickly as possible.